Bill Robinson: Mr. Bojangles

Bill Robinson, Mr. Bojangles "was not a credit to his race ... [he] was a credit to the human race ... [he] was not a great Negro dancer, he was the world's greatest dancer." Thus was Mr. Bojangles, Mr. Mischief-maker, eulogized by no less a personage than Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., at Robinson's funeral in NYC in Nov. 1949. The all-too-short 50 minutes of this video are cram-packed with information about Mr. Bojangles' life and career, from beer-halls and honky-tonks to vaudeville and feature films. Robinson endured as much--perhaps more--racism throughout his life and career as many other artists, but he was determined to make his way in a largely white world and triumph over every adversity he confronted. A superb collection of black-and-white still photographs and motion picture excerpts serve to illustrate the many facets of Robinson's life and varied career, from his early childhood through his film roles and extending to his funeral, attended by 1.5 million people lining NYC streets from Harlem to Brooklyn. Throughout, Bill Robinson's style, class, elegance, and charm emerge triumphantly, especially in a wonderful dance routine cut from Café Metropole (1937) before its release, that rivals Gene Kelly's signature turn in Singin' in the Rain. The production values are up to A&E's usual fine standards, and the whole is knit together by the beautiful voice of narrator Ossie Davis. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Rechel)